the rules are pretty clear. if you agree to a line limit, then that serves as the maximum allowed. if you do not agree to a line limit, then the first person to post sets the maximum allowed. you may always post less than your opponent. you may only post more if you both have agreed to a line limit and your opponent then decides to post less than the maximum allowed.

or, in other words:

[12] - An agreement of a line limit will serve as the maximum allowed; competitors are allowed to post under an agreed limit, but never over. An agreement is not required. Upon failure to agree to a line limit, the second competitor is thereby required to meet the limit set by the first competitor to post.

Click to expand...

for all matches, 40 is the maximum and 8 is the minimum. in the case of a no-show, 4 lines will suffice.